Clinton’s Derby Pick Places Second, Then Euthanized

From CBS News’ Fernando Suarez:


INDIANAPOLIS -- Hillary Clinton’s pick to win the Kentucky Derby this year came in second, but was later euthanized on the track. The tragic moment at Churchill Downs cast an eerie spell over the campaign and the candidate who recently compared herself and her candidacy to the only female horse running in the race, Eight Belles.

At a campaign in event recently in Jeffersonville, just north of Louisville, Kentucky, Clinton encouraged her supporters to put their money on the 20-1 long shot. “I hope that everybody will go to the derby on Saturday and place just a little money on the filly for me,” she said. “I won’t be able to be there this year, my daughter is going to be there and so she has strict instructions to bet on Eight Belles.”

Earlier that day Clinton visited her Kentucky headquarters where a sign on the wall said “Bet on the filly.” A filly is a young female horse, and no doubt Clinton saw a comparison to the horses’ race and her own political race.

On the track today, Eight Belles beat the odds and eventually fought her way to place second, but was sadly put down after sustaining life threatening injuries to both of her front legs.